Yo. I've been trying to look up the history of horsemanship and cavalry online for a while now, and the pickings are slim. Any of you know a better place to look than what I've been finding?
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
...the library? Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
I have no clue where to find that stuff but since I haven't seen you in a while just wanted to
Hobbes Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
What have you been finding and what are you looking for specifically?
For the history of the Cavalry, click here for 389,000 results.
Here is a pretty cool site about the history of horses in human history.
Seriously, if you tell me what specifically you are looking for, I can find it for you. I think the problem you are encountering right now is due to word choice. Horsemanship isn't a common word in English, as you probably noticed when you entered it at Google. They mostly seem to be foreign language sites.
I'm telling you people, word choice if critical for decent searches. Posted by Rohan (Member # 5141) on :
Have you been using all the fancy words for horses, like equi-whatever? dang, my only suggestion actually asks YOU a question. Edit: AND I got beat to the punch. I'm an idiot
[ September 01, 2003, 12:06 AM: Message edited by: Rohan ]
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Geoffrey, Try looking for a specific cavalry. For instance, the Sumerians probably had the first organized cavalry. Egypt. Greece. Rome. The Huns. Napoleon. The Russians. The Prussians. You get my point.
How did the Americas make use of the horse?
Who were the first people to tame a horse?
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
Okay, I'll tip my hand a little. I'm working on a video game concept proposal that focuses on mounted combat. I'm trying to create an alternate history in which a single character can experience all forms of historical mounted combat, from European chivalry to Mongolian raids to Wild West outlaws. Problem is, I know nothing about the subject So I'm trying to bone up.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
The real problem, Geoff, is that you didn't wave back.
Hobbes Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :
Hmm.
I haven't really studied a lot on mounted combat, but I know that knights rode big horses that could hold up thier armor, Mongolians ride small shaggy ponies that can hold up to the weather, Arabs and bedoins ride fast horses that don't drink a lot of water, and cowboys would ride quarter horses, captured mustangs, or any horse that has a brain, and could work cattle day after day after day.
Let me dig through my stuff a little, and see what I can find.
Here's a good one, pretty thourough, and touching on a lot of stuff I was thinking you might need.
There's a LOT of stuff online about horses, but if you have a specific question, I can probly help, or know someone who can.
I want to play this game, BTW.
Ni!
[ September 01, 2003, 01:27 AM: Message edited by: kwsni ]
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
This is probably overkill – but I love horse lore.
Thanks Lady Dove, I'm bookmarking some of these!
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
courtesy of T_Smith from the depths of aol.
quote:Cavalry was a unit of soldiers that fought on horseback. These swift-striking, wide-ranging forces formed an important part of many armies from ancient times until the early 1900's. But by that time, cannons, machine guns, and other high-powered weapons had been developed that could easily destroy entire cavalry units.
Cavalry performed a number of other duties during warfare in addition to fighting on the battlefield. Mounted units carried messages between army camps, provided an armed escort for generals, and scouted enemy positions. They also aided their army's movements by carrying out certain screening maneuvers to confuse or hold back enemy forces.
The ancient Assyrians, Macedonians, Persians, and Scythians relied heavily on cavalry, as did the Roman Army of the late A.D. 300's. The mounted knights of the Middle Ages became famous for their gallantry, dash, valor, and honor. But the heavy armor that protected the horse and rider also limited speed and movement—and thus the effectiveness of a knight in battle.
Cavalry reached the height of its effectiveness during the 1700's and 1800's, with the development of the galloping cavalry charge. This military tactic was used skillfully by European armies of the period, particularly the Prussian Army under Frederick the Great and the French Army under Napoleon I. Through speed and shock, the cavalry charge often broke enemy lines and forced opposing soldiers to flee. In such charges, the cavalry's favorite weapon was the saber, a curved sword specially designed for use on horseback.
In the United States, cavalry first became a major factor in warfare during the American Civil War (1861-1865). In this conflict, such Union cavalry leaders as Philip H. Sheridan and George A. Custer clashed with Confederate cavalry led by such officers as Jeb Stuart and Nathan B. Forrest. During the second half of the 1800's, the U.S. cavalry was used extensively in battling Indians on the western frontier. Custer's famous "last stand" at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana Territory in 1876 is probably the best known of the hundreds of battles fought between the U.S. cavalry and Indians.
The widespread use of cannons, machine guns, and similar weapons during World War I (1914-1918) made attacks by mounted troops useless and costly. In 1950, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill that officially abolished the horse cavalry of the U.S. Army. Today, armored and mechanized units often perform military tactics formerly accomplished on horseback. Such units are sometimes called cavalry.
Posted by Ryan Hart (Member # 5513) on :
You should recreate the Polish cavalry charge against the German blitzkreig. That would be fun.
Posted by Geoffrey Card (Member # 1062) on :
I just finished playing a game of Battlefield 1942 that felt a lot like the Polish charge. It was NOT fun
Hi Hobbes! [waves]
Okay, I'm putting together a list of different cavalry types and tactics ...
Greek Javelin-wielders These guys would rush into the beginning of a battle, spear somebody, then gallop off to re-arm. They weren't heavily armed or armored, but were fast; used to harry the enemy.
Mongol raiders They usually carried a long bow and an axe, presumably using the bow as long as possible, then switching to the axe at close quarters.
European knights Heavy and unmaeuverable, these guys were the slow tanks of medieval warfare. Their initial charge with a lance would ensure one really gory kill; then they'd switch to a longsword and hack at peasants who couldn't touch them in their armor. The fairest fights with knights were at the tournaments.
Samurai The knights of the east — I haven't found much about their mounted combat, but I imagine the katana was designed for purposes similar to the European saber. And Samurai armor seems lighter, though more expansive, than European armor ...
Cowboys and Indians Wielding firearms from horseback against both bison and one another, I imagine these guys probably missed a lot of their shots.
Moors vs. Spaniards While the Spaniards were traditional knights, the Moors rode smaller, faster horses that danced around the Spaniards' less-maneuverable steeds.
Am I missing any important cavalry types here? Am I getting any of these guys totally wrong?
Here's a list I've put together so far of weapons commonly used from horseback:
Javelin — thrown once and abandoned Spear — held overhead and stabbed down at the foe Lance — depends on size and speed of mount for maximum impact; does not survive use Axe/Hammer — long-hafted weapons designed to be swung with force against a foe on the ground, or a mounted foe separated by the girth of two mounts Longsword — a better, more versatile weapon used as above Saber — a curved sword even better-suited to high-speed hacking Bow — mounted archers could keep the enemy under fire while remaining comfortably out of range Pistol — easily fired while riding, but not terribly accurate Rifle — impossible to use while steering horse, but easier to aim
Again, am I missing any traditional or interesting weapons used by cavalry throughout history? Am I missing any tactical details about the use of these weapons? Have I gotten anything wrong?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
There are also the Arabs...
Hobbes Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Ladydove gave a great list of links. Your list of weapons is fairly inclusive, don't forget the scimitar (from a link in a link of Ladydove, an Arab wargame w/cavalry), mace (included in hammer), morningstar, and pole-ax or halbard ( a combination ax with a heavy short spear on the other end, good for melee.Hmm, seems to be more of an infantry anti-cavalry weapon.)
For tactics, include the Romans, Carthaginians and Civil War eras. The best cavalry tactician in the Civil War was Nathan B. Forrest. He also was a founder of the KKK after the War. In the Civil War, cavalry would often ride to battle but fight on foot. Cavalry charges against muskets were risky and costly in horses because horses are such big,easy targets compared to men.
If your game will have cavalry vs infantry, study up on anti-cavalry tactics such as pike squares, caltrops, layered defenses and many others.
Good luck with your game!
[edit to add: pole-ax with cool drawings of plate armor fighting moves and weapons-->table of contents: Fiore's Flower of Battles, translated from Latin and copywritten
The Parthians or early Persians were famous for their effective use of horse archers and cataphracts (heavily armored cavalry.) They defeated both Crassus in 54bc and later Marc Anthony.] Link 1, link2, link3
[ September 02, 2003, 01:58 AM: Message edited by: Morbo ]
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
Might I suggest taking into thought how other armies responded to seeing cavalry?
Just my thought.
Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :
wow, I got all my links gathered, and ladydove's list was better than mine.
I will repeat that if you need to know anything more on the horsey side of things, let me know.
Ni!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
It looks like you've probably got enough to go on here, Geoff, but if you're interested in offline materials, I'd recommend Osprey Press. They really have a staggering selection of books that would be relevant to what you're proposing.
Saracen Faris AD 1050-1250 is a good example of their material, I think.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I skimmed the other Parthian links, here's a couple more.
quote: Taking over the Scythian lands also meant taking over the Scythian horse, and it was probably the acquisition of this horse that made the Parthians a force that even Rome could not overcome, try as it might to claim all of Alexander's empire.
What made the Parthians the excellent fighting force that they were? It was the fact that they had been the first to perfect the art of archery from horseback. Today in the United States one speaks of the "Parting Shot," which actually used to be the "Parthian Shot:" taking one last shot with an arrow while galloping away. Archery from horseback is difficult enough; but in order to be able to shoot behind oneself, one needs two very important innovations: the treed saddle, and the stirrup, both of which are believed to have been developed originally by the Scythians. One also needs a special horse, who is intelligent enough to be guided by the legs, once the treed saddle has freed them up for the rider's use.
I heard somewhere that the Parthians would actually ride thier horses backward to get off that last "parthian shot"
Maybe you should include the Native Americans too. Their style of riding seems very Parthian except bareback.
AJ
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Two other suggestions:
Ancient warriors fought more in chariotts than on horse back. Both the bible, and the Illiad talk of the importance of these mobile missile platforms. The slave/driver/squire would pull the hero into the battle field where he could throw his Javelin, rock, or other big weapon.
In Britain the Brits used them against the Romans for a while.
In the Authorian Saga's Lancelot was said to have ridden around in a cart--aka Chariott--for many years.
Finally, one of the Pythons, I forget which, did an A&E special on the Crusades.
It was during the crusades that the largest calvary battle was held. Tens of thousands of horses were gathered on each side.
The Europeans brought knights in heavy armor. THey prefered the larger stallions.
The Arabs used warriors who used speed as their weapon. They prefered using the faster, lighter Mares.
At any given time a percentage of those mares would be in heat.
Shall we say, the European Knight's male horses were enthusiastic about the chance to close ranks with their female enemy?
It was not a good day to be an Arabian calvary man that day.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I've been on a steppe warrior kick lately, and have been reading up on the various steppe horsemen that have impacted China and Europe, from the Scythians on up to the Manchus. One thing that I had no idea of was the use of the lasso as a weapon for a lot of these people. You might want to include one in the inventory of the player during the Mongol section of the game.
Are you thinking of making this a 1st person perspective game? It occurs to me that there is fodder for a really good isometric view tactical warfare game as well.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
You mght want to research the Polish Cavalry, generally considered the best cavalry in Europe for years, and claimed to be a factor in the Polish defense of Vienna (?) against the Turks back in the 1400s/1500s.
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